Solidarity to Popularize Maududi; Will Jamaat-e-Islami’s Move Cause Headache for Congress in Elections?
Thiruvananthapuram: Solidarity, the youth wing of Jamaat-e-Islami, is actively working to popularize the ideology of its founder, Abul A’la Maududi. As part of this initiative, the Solidarity Malappuram District Committee is organizing a discussion titled ‘Sayyid Maududi and Sheikh Qaradawi: Islamic Political Thought and Development’. This development follows Leader of Opposition V.D. Satheesan’s recent assertion that Jamaat-e-Islami is neither a communal force nor an advocate for a religious state.
The event, scheduled for October 3 in Malappuram, is viewed by Jamaat-e-Islami as a step that could facilitate the entry of its political front, the Welfare Party, into the United Democratic Front (UDF). This year marks the 81st anniversary of Jamaat-e-Islami, coinciding with the RSS’s centenary celebrations.
**What is Jamaat-e-Islami?**
Jamaat-e-Islami is an organization founded in 1941 based on the ideas of the Islamic scholar Abul A’la Maududi, operating in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka. While the organization is known to adopt extreme positions and engage in militant activities in other countries, its stance in India has generally been peaceful. However, theoretically, Jamaat-e-Islami has not accepted the Indian Constitution or its democratic system. It views them merely as means to achieve its fundamental goal of establishing a religious state.
**Who will stand with them?**
As the state heads into two crucial elections, this political move by Jamaat-e-Islami is expected to have repercussions in Kerala politics generally, and particularly within the UDF. This is especially significant given the current situation where influential Hindu community organizations like NSS and SNDP are distancing themselves from the Congress, publicly accusing it of minority appeasement.
**The Clear Link in Nilambur**
The Leader of Opposition, V.D. Satheesan, publicly defended Jamaat-e-Islami during the Nilambur by-election campaign. Jamaat-e-Islami had offered its full support to the UDF in the Nilambur by-election. Satheesan had stated that Jamaat-e-Islami had abandoned its religious state theory, specifically remarking that Jamaat-e-Islami members in Kerala do not uphold Maududi’s religious state ideology.
However, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan strongly reacted against Satheesan’s support for Jamaat-e-Islami and against the organization itself.
**Is the League Interested?**
The Congress has not yet responded to the Solidarity event. However, the Muslim League is viewing it with extreme caution. League leader P.N.A. Salam stated that they have no connection with Maududiism and do not agree with its principles.
**The Path to the UDF**
The Jamaat-e-Islami leadership believes that this event will pave the way for their entry into the UDF. “We consider Maududi an emancipatory leader in India. Through this, we are introducing his thoughts to the public. Discussions are held about the ideas of E.M.S. Namboodiripad and B.R. Ambedkar. Let the people know who Maududi is,” said Toufeeq Mampad, State President of Solidarity Youth Movement, to the New Indian Express.
**Infiltrating the Muslim Community Through the League?**
The Left Front alleges that the UDF is providing an opportunity for extremist religious views to grow through Jamaat’s program. Former Minister K.T. Jaleel stated that Jamaat-e-Islami is attempting to propagate the idea of an Islamic state as a response to the RSS’s Hindu Rashtra. “If Maududi was not interested in establishing an Islamic religious state, why did he, born in India, go to Pakistan? Jamaat is very strategically infiltrating the Muslim community through the League, and the UDF is covertly supporting it. Ordinary Muslims know that Maududiism creates division in society,” Jaleel added.